ite a history belonging to that stick.'

"'What sort of a history?'

"'Well,' says I, 'it's like this. My sister, she was staying at
Toowoomba up Queeensland way; she's the sister of the landlady at the
'Royal.' Well, one day a new chum named Wyckliffe came there to stop.
She told me he seemed a decent sort, but he left early for out West the
next morning, and he never came back, poor fellow! for he was
drowned--so the papers say. Any rate, he left some old clothes at the
'Royal,' and this stick was found amongst them, and she keeps it, for
she said he was such a nice fellow.'

"'But it's yours now,' says he.

"'No such luck,' says I. 'She don't know I have it out, else there'd be
a row.'

"'I'll tell you what I'll do,' he says, 'I knew the chap as owned this
stick, and I'll give you ten bob for it.'

"'You won't,' says I, 'nor ten pound neither.'

"'Why?' says he, surprised.

"'I'm living in her house,' says I, 'and if she knew I was taking
liberties with her goods I'd get the run.'

"'Would she sell it?' he asks.

"'There'd be no harm in asking her,' I says, 'if it's worth anything to
you.'

"'It is for old acquaintance sake. Where does she live?'

"'At 345 Nicholson Street,' says I.

"'What time is best to see her?' says he.

"'About four in the afternoon.'

"'Tell your sister I'll call at four to-morrow,' says he.

"We had another drink and he wished me good afternoon, and I ran all the
way down here," said Terence, evidently immensely pleased with himself.

"You have done well, Terence," said Hal, and Reg shook him warmly by the
hand.

"Look here, Terence, we shall want a lady to take the part of your
sister to-morrow and receive him. Do you know of a respectable girl who
would do it?"

"Well, that all depends. What would she have to do?"

"Nothing more than to receive him."

"Well, I think I know of a lady that will suit. She _is_ my sister. She
is a nurse, but is not doing anything now."

"A nurse. That's the very person we want," said Hal, quite pleased at
the way things were going.

"She'll come, I suppose, Terence?" asked Reg.

"Yes, sir. She'll do anything I tell her," answered Terence, proudly.

"Then you can tell your sister to call at the house at ten to-morrow,
and we'll meet you there to arrange matters," said Hal.

"Right you are, your honours. I reckon he won't get away this time,"
said Terence, leaving them together.

The following morning the boys took possession o